Grand Designs project halted in devastating blow after star rushed to hospital


Grand Designs aired a dramatic episode on Wednesday night as Tony, who sought to build a 'wellness' house, was rushed to hospital.

Tony and his wife Ara decided to knock down Tony's late parents' home in a woodland clearing near Henley-on-Thames and build a new home focused on health and well-being. This was important for the couple due to Ara's autoimmune condition, as she needed a tranquil and peaceful place to heal.

The pair planned to live on-site to cut costs, with Tony taking on the task of project managing to save Ara any stress that could compromise her already fragile health. However, as expected, with such a huge project, the couple soon encountered issues along the way.

About halfway through the episode, host Kevin McCloud revealed that Tony had suffered a nasty fall. Kevin, 65, explained: "However, this happy state of equilibrium is short-lived. A couple of days after my visit, Ara's worst fears about the dangers of working with such heavy loads come to pass.

Grand Designs aired a dramatic episode on Wednesday night as Tony, who sought to build a 'wellness' house, was rushed to hospital as his wife Ara was left in tears
Grand Designs aired a dramatic episode on Wednesday night as Tony, who sought to build a 'wellness' house, was rushed to hospital as his wife Ara was left in tears -Credit:Channel 4

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"Tony fell off a trolley while screwing a board into the ceiling, fracturing his tailbone and cutting himself badly. He was rushed to hospital to get stitched up."

It then cut to Ara explaining what had happened. She recalled: "I was clearing up something on the floor, and I just heard him make a big noise." Ara then broke down in tears and added, "It was really scary!"

As expected, the project was halted as Tony spent a week in hospital, but only a month later, he was back lifting boards as he got stuck into the property once again.

Tony and his wife Ara decided to knock down Tony's late parents' home in a woodland clearing near Henley-on-Thames to build a new home focused on health and wellbeing
Tony and his wife Ara decided to knock down Tony's late parents' home in a woodland clearing near Henley-on-Thames to build a new home focused on health and wellbeing -Credit:Channel 4

However, there was more heartache for the couple as Ara revealed later in the episode she had been diagnosed with cancer. Despite the couple's setbacks, they managed to complete the home after four years, with host Kevin moved to tears over their milestone.

Visiting the couple at the end of the episode, which was filmed in November 2023, Kevin said: "I'm approaching Tony and Ara's house with a little trepidation. On top of the emotional, psychological, physical load this project has brought comes this latest news of Ara's cancer, which is so sad."

Upon seeing the completed home, a delighted Kevin said: "There is a finished drive," before exclaiming: "There is a finished house!" as he ran towards the property. Later, as he caught up with the couple, Ara shared some poignant words that left Kevin teary.

Host Kevin McCloud was moved to tears at the end of the episode
Host Kevin McCloud was moved to tears at the end of the episode -Credit:Channel 4

Ara said: "Nobody could have predicted what was going to happen to me. Now the path is to do peace, contentment and gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for, I live in a little piece of heaven. It's heaven round here."

An emotional Kevin replied: "It's my turn to get a bit tearful now, I'm in awe of the pair of you. Very tough and very wonderful of you to have got this far, I think it's just a great thing."

Grand Designs continues on Wednesdays at 9pm on Channel 4.